Obay...the plot thickens

They have radio ads and an 800 number:

1-888-YOU-OBAY

Call, listen, leave a message.

Radio ads and an 800 number ain't cheap.  This is some well-funded satire.  What gives?

Weird.  Doesn't seem to be related to Obay-Ebay gag sites.  Though the Ottawa one is pretty funny.

Comments

[Em]

That really in intriguing. I like the line about "your valuable, irrefutable influence". I wonder where this is really going (and also, where it is coming from).

[minnie]

it sounds like someone is trying to encourage kids to listen to their parents. either that, or someone is trying to get kids to think for themselves by the back door route of saying "i'm replacing your ideas and opinions with mine, and you'll like it!"

dunno. sounds a little frightening to me

[Lisa]

Okay, so I live in the US and the number doesn't work here. You've got my curiosity piqued, but I have no way of knowing what the message on the 800 number is. Gah!

[Rachel H]

Very interesting indeed. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[Kelis]

The Unfiction community is investigating this too. You can check our progress here: http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24479

[Dr. Steph]

If you scroll down this link http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24479 there's a zip file for the audio of the call.

Or here's the text...

"....Calling 1-888-YOU-OBAY. There's nothing worse than a child who won't do what they're told. You raise them, feed them, cloth them, sit through their violin recitals; and how do they pay you back?? They go ahead and think for themselves!

It's not right and it's not what you had in mind... Thankfully there's OBay! A new remedy from the makers of "why?BecauseIsaidso!" And "NotUnderMyRoof!"

Is your child ignoring your subtle suggestions? Are they not getting the hint when you tell them what to do!? It's time for OBay; Are they making important life decisions without listening to your valuable irriputable input!? Hello OBay! OBay works where other parental controls, like shouting, don't. Just one dose and you'll see a difference... Your truculant teenagers will be transformed into dosile pussycats, open to your thoughts, your ideas and most importantly the future you've mapped out for them.

So order your supply of OBay today... Because YOUR Wish is YOUR command!"

[martin m.]

ok looks like maker of obay.info (obay-ebay) is not maker of ads

http://hypermodern.net/archives/
addressing-confusion-between-
httpobayinfo-and-obay-pills-
posters-in-canada/

[Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)]

I'm sure whoever is behind it is laughing with glee at the attention.

[mamacate]

This is a trip. Here's a rather uninformative but not entirely useless media hit: http://toronto.24hrs.ca/News/2008/02/15/4847977-sun.html

[little green.]

This ad campaign, either a crafty subtle one off, or the beginning of an even larger upcoming scene promoting positive parenting.

The torontoist online site says that it is their guess it's a campaign by the ontario colleges.i think they are wrong

[little green.]

This ad campaign, either a crafty subtle one off, or the beginning of an even larger upcoming scene promoting positive parenting.

The torontoist online site says that it is their guess it's a campaign by the ontario colleges.i think they are wrong

[Rachael]

I am FASCINATED. Keep us posted.

[David]

Here's Torontoist's article: http://torontoist.com/2008/02/the_ones_that_m.php

We've done a hefty amount of research, and it really, really seems like it's Ontario Colleges.

[Ruth]

I just saw a bus here in Thunder Bay with the Obay ad. It was funny to come across it after hearing about Obay from you. I've been wondering if it's a comment on our society's love affair with medicating kids. The Ritalin of a new generation - no ADHD needed we'll just medicate them for not doing exactly what we want when we want.

[Patryck]

It's either a prank or a new form of brainwashing drug to turn children into mindless zombies. Next they'll come out with one for Employees and have them work like chimps on a type writer.

[TMI]

The Obay ad is at a bus stop near a pharmacy. I'm a bit miffed that a good word is put in this cult controlling context. Children obey when they feel loved, connected, appreciated and respected. Too many socially slow adult take advantage of children when they paint a picture of a family as a jail term. It is sad that the family is not valued. An extra holiday will not change that.

If the ad read,

"My employees had a mind of their own. I fixed that with obey". OR

"My wife had ideas of her own, so I nipped it in the butt with obey. OR

"My party has difficulty agreeing on an issue, so as their leader, I administered a non-partisan version of obey"....

When the idea of absolute power and control is injected into any situation, and freedom is paralyed, then that context(family)is belittled.

WHAT GOOD OR BAD IS THE ADVERTISER TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

[BlueBerry Pick'n]

I've heard nothing about a plot afoot from the Usual Sources...

This is well done...

& you're right, well funded.

~~~
BTW: there's some drama going down with the Canadian Privacy Commissioner.

Just thought I'd mention it.

on Determined Pacifism & "Election Madness" Howard Zinn

~~~
Spread Love...

can be found @
ThisCanadian
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"

[mwk]

Scientology?

[mwk]

Scientology?